EU president Donald Tusk said Europe is ‘a woman’ and people are loving it

European Council president Donald Tusk delighted and confused in equal measure when he called Europe a “woman.”

Addressing journalists at a news conference following three difficult days between 28 EU leaders on assigning the bloc’s top jobs, he said: “We have chosen two women and two men for the four key positions.”

A perfect gender balance. I’m really happy about it. After all, Europe is a woman. I think it was worth waiting for such an outcome.

Tusk said the appointment of Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen to lead the next European Commission still needed approval from the European Parliament.

Reaction online to his admission is mixed.

Some quite enjoyed his reference that Europe is a woman

They saw it as a tribute to two women heading the European commission and European Central bank, after more than 60 years of male dominance.

Others didn't think it struck the right tone...

And others were just...confused

He also said he was “absolutely sure” that France’s Christine Lagarde would be an independent new head of the European Central Bank.

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